The history of the now-global sport has been long debated, with other evidence suggesting that lawn tennis (as opposed to the ‘real’ or ‘royal’ sort) may owe its origins to more English surroundings.
From London to Birmingham
Thomas Henry (‘Harry’) Gem was born in 1819 and educated at King’s Junior Department at the Strand. Early illustrations show boys running about in the Quad, and it was here that Harry seems to have first shown the sporting prowess that led to his success in cricket, riding, archery and athletics.
In the 1850s he played the game of rackets in Birmingham with his Spanish friend Augurio Perera. Frustrated by the complex and expensive facilities required for playing rackets, however, the two friends developed a simpler game they called ‘lawn rackets’ that could be played on Perera’s lawn in Edgbaston, combining features of the Basque game of pelota with those of rackets.
Pre-dating the rules of Sphairistiké
This game may have been played as early as 1859, and it was known as lawn tennis by 1872, thus pre-dating the game that was known as Sphairistiké, whose rules were published in 1873.
Harry went on to become Clerk to the Birmingham magistrates and a Major in the 1st Warwickshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. He wrote articles on pugilism, horses, bull-baiting and other sporting matters, and he was the first president of the Birmingham Dramatic Club.
But his real claim to fame lies on a lawn in Egbaston, and perhaps in the Quad at the Strand. He died in 1881.
Find out more about the History of King’s here
Hero image: Illustration published in 1895 “lindeman catalogue”. Stock illustration ID:502363904